Lansingburgh residents encouraged to contact city officials with concerns, problems

J.S. CARRAS - THE RECORD
City of Troy Police Chief John Tedesco (back to camera) speaks to about 250 people about the recent crime spree during the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch meeting held at the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy, N.Y., on Tuesday, July 22, 2014.

TROY >> About 250 community members filled the gymnasium at the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club Tuesday night as members of the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch, Police Chief John Tedesco, Mayor Lou Rosamilia and city council members met to discuss the recent crime spree and other concerns in the Collar City neighborhood.

The meeting follows an eventful weekend in the city: Last Friday night, 16-year-old Eshane Walker of Troy was found with stab wound at a party and later died. Early Monday morning, personnel from the city’s fire department battled six fires which have since been labeled suspicious, set withing blocks from each other within a relatively short period of time.

During the two-hour meeting, neighborhood residents shared their concerns, from garbage in alleys and vacant properties to disturbances caused by juveniles and specific incidents they felt police didn’t handle adequately.

Chief Tedesco urged residents to call and report problems to the appropriate city agency when they see them, whether it’s letting the Department of Public Works know about garbage in alleys, or reporting an incident with the police.

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“They can’t be everywhere at the same time,” said longtime Lansingburgh resident Peggy Kownack of the 130-member police department. “Our peace public safety officers are phenomenal, but they can’t do it without us.”

Some residents complained of incidents when police told them they couldn’t do anything, and while others commented on how distant and unknown officers are to the community.

“I’m a little bit disturbed by that myself,” replied Tedesco. “Especially when I hear there are officers at an event huddled together or cops are telling people there’s nothing we can do, so that will be job one for me tomorrow.”

“If you’re a police officer and you respond to a scene, whether it’s a child, or a robbery, and you’re telling somebody there’s nothing you can do, how do you expect people to feel? And that may be something of what we’re seeing here. If the cops are starting to lay things off on people, I find that very disturbing,” he said.

Tedesco said he didn’t think many constructive comments were made during the meeting.

“My role tonight was to talk to people and try to reassure them we’re doing everything we can possibly do,” said Mayor Lou Rosamilia. “The other part of that is to be vigilant, to be alert, to turn your lights on, to leave your lights on, talk to people, you’ve got 911 — call.”

Both Rosamilia and Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, said while there is a public comment period at the end of monthly city council meetings, the best ways for residents to voice concerns and discuss issues are to attend neighborhood group meetings, which are listed on the city’s website at www.troyny.gov, or to call their city council representative, which could then lead to legislation and other action.